Grounded in recent research and successful practice, The New Principal’s Fieldbook prepares new and aspiring principals for the unexpected twists and turns of school leadership. Capitalizing on their experiences and those of other educational leaders, authors Pam Robbins and Harvey Alvy offer practical information, research-based strategies, and provocative stories to help principals develop into visionary leaders skilled in promoting the success of students and teachers.

Surprises, obstacles, and opportunities characterize the leadership path. Within the chapters, the authors use research and specific examples from recognized practitioners to create a road map for navigating the complex challenges of the principalship. Collectively, the book’s themes mirror key content areas addressed by the ISLLC Standards for School Leaders as well as other topics essential for success:

Creating a shared vision that places student learning at the heart of the school

Transforming toxic cultures into positive cultures

Dealing with challenging experiences unique to new principals

Promoting quality teaching and learning

Creating professional learning communities

Facilitating change within the school culture

Building productive partnerships with central office staff, parents, and the greater community

Designing management tasks as leadership tools

Working with unions, budgets, the law, and the media

Balancing personal and professional responsibilities

Leading ethically and with emotional intelligence

Robbins and Alvy guide the reader through important concepts and practices, including instructional leadership, data-driven decision making, differentiated supervision, professional development, crisis intervention, and time management. At the end of each chapter, they invite readers to reflect on how to apply their new knowledge to real situations. Covering everything from everyday management tasks to the larger goal of student success, The New Principal’s Fieldbook is an essential guide for new and aspiring principals.

PAM ROBBINS is an independent consultant who works with school systems, universities, professional organizations, and corporate clients across the United States and in Europe, Great Britain, South America, and the Far East. Her professional background includes work as a special and regular education teacher, a high school basketball coach, Director of Staff Development and Special Projects for Napa County Office of Education, and Director of Training for the North Bay California School Leadership Academy.

HARVEY ALVY'S teaching career began as an inner-city elementary school teacher in 1968. He later taught in middle and high schools, and his experience in multicultural, international schools is extensive. His international experiences have taken him to the American School in Kinshasa, Zaire; the American International School in Israel; the American Embassy School in New Delhi, India; and Singapore American School.